Accommodation system for rollable containers in a vehicle, and a vehicle having such a system

ABSTRACT

An accommodation system for an accommodation space for storing rollable containers in a vehicle. After a front container, which is arranged at the insertion opening, has been removed in the conventional manner, it is possible, through the use of the accommodation system, to remove the rear container which is arranged considerably spaced apart from the insertion opening in the interior of the accommodation space. For this purpose, a rail system is provided in the floor region of the accommodation space. A transfer plate is movable on the rail system in the floor region of the accommodation space and can assume a storage position and a removal position for the rear container.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the German patent application No.102019108750.3 filed on Apr. 3, 2019, the entire disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by way of reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an accommodation system for rollable containersin a vehicle, and to a vehicle having such a system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles which serve for transporting a multiplicity of passengers arecommonly equipped with cabins with passenger seats, one or more on-boardtoilets and optionally one or more galleys. In particular in the contextof the design of galleys in passenger aircraft to be more compact,concepts exist in the case of which parking locations for trolleys areutilized in which multiple trolleys are arranged one behind the other.This commonly relates to the use of trolleys according to ATLAS, ARINCor KSSU standards, and the combined use of a trolley with fullstructural depth (“full size trolley”) and of a trolley with a halvedstructural depth (“half size trolley”) or two trolleys with fullstructural depth (two “full size trolleys”). It is also the case forsupply containers which must be stored as boxes in the galley that,owing to the structural depth for the storage space, stowage of twoboxes or more one behind the other can be possible.

For the removal of trolleys from such a parking location, it is commonlythe case that a handle situated at a top side is gripped by a user andis pulled out of the parking location. For this purpose, the trolley isequipped with rollers which are provided for the movement within thegalley area and also for the movement of the trolley in the aircraftaisle from seat row to seat row for the serving process within theaircraft cabin. For trolleys on the rear parking locations, a removaldevice is necessarily provided. In particular if a full size trolley isparked in a rear parking location, it is possibly difficult for theflight attendants, in terms of a relatively high expenditure of forceand also in terms of the accessibility, to move the full size trolleyout of the rear parking location.

Such removal devices for trolleys are known from WO 2016 034 531 A1 oralso WO 2014 125 046 A1. Here, a forward and backward movement of thetrolley in the parking location space is provided by means of rods andengagement devices with respect to the trolley body. For cateringcontainers in boxes, too, a removal from the rear parking location bymeans of cable systems is known. However, the operability andhandleability of a trolley/of a box specifically for parking locationsarranged one behind the other can be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To make galleys even more compact, it could be expedient for cateringcontainers such as trolleys or also boxes to be arranged one behind theother in an accommodation space. This is, however, not optimal in termsof handleability because a rear trolley or a rear box can be reached byon-board personnel only with great difficulty, because it is situated ata relatively large distance from an insertion opening of the parkinglocation.

It is consequently an object of the invention to propose a device or agalley with which catering containers arranged one behind the other inan accommodation space can be easily handled by on-board personnel suchthat, in particular, catering containers arranged at the rear in anaccommodation space can be reached as easily as possible.

The object is achieved by means of an accommodation system for cateringcontainers in a vehicle having the features of independent claim 1.Advantageous embodiments and refinements emerge from the dependentclaims and from the following description. The use of such anaccommodation system is not restricted to catering containers, and it isalso possible for containers for other purposes to be moved using theaccommodation system according to the invention.

An accommodation system for containers in a vehicle is proposed, whichsystem substantially has a rail system in the floor region and can movea supply container from a storage position to a removal position. Forthis purpose, the system has a rail system in the floor region of theaccommodation space. The floor may, for example, be a floor element ofthe accommodation space or else a vehicle floor in which theaccommodation space is arranged. The rail system may be fastened on thefloor or else may be integrated in the floor. The selection of thecorresponding fastening to the floor or integration into the floor ismade with the aim of minimizing the overall structural height of therail system in order to allow for the structural conditions of theaccommodation space, which are adapted to the dimensions of thecorresponding catering containers.

Furthermore, a transfer plate is provided which is movable on the railsystem and which can assume a storage position and a removal positionfor the catering container. The storage position of the cateringcontainer with its rear wall is provided adjacent to the rear wall ofthe accommodation space. The removal position is provided in the regionof an insertion opening for the insertion and removal of a cateringcontainer into the accommodation space. This insertion opening is formedoppositely in relation to the rear wall of the accommodation space.

The rail system has at least one guide rail, preferably designed aslinear systems or else as telescopic guide rails, which are arranged inthe region of the storage position on the floor in the movementdirection of the transfer plate. The linear systems may be designed, forexample, as guide rails which correspond with movement bodies such asrunning rollers or with rail bodies composed of ball bearings or rollingbodies. Movement bodies in the form of sliding bodies may also be used.For example, linear guides with plastic plain bearings may be used. Suchmovement bodies are arranged on the transfer plate.

In one preferred embodiment, the accommodation space is designed foraccommodating at least two catering containers arranged one behind theother on a front parking location and on a rear parking location, andthe rear catering container is positioned on the transfer plate.

The accommodation space can consequently be filled with relatively largerollable containers in a very convenient manner, and, in particular inthe case of use in a cabin of a passenger aircraft, permits the veryspace-saving, spatially economical accommodation of trolleys one behindthe other.

After a front container, which is arranged at the insertion opening, hasbeen removed in the conventional manner, it is possible, through the useof an accommodation system, to remove the rear container which isarranged considerably spaced apart from the insertion opening in theinterior of the accommodation space.

The accommodation system according to the invention is preferablyprovided for supply containers, for example trolleys, which are arrangedon the rear parking locations of a galley in a vehicle. In particular,if a full size trolley is parked in a rear parking location, it is madevery much easier for the flight attendants to position the relativelyheavy container into an easy-to-reach access region by means of thetransfer plate and easily convey it out of the rear parking location.

The rear wall, arranged opposite the insertion opening, of theaccommodation space, is a rear boundary of a parking location in theaccommodation space, against which a rearmost container abuts or withwhich a rearmost container comes into contact or which is adjoined by arearmost container. This corresponds to the storage position of thesupply container. The size and shape of the container may be selected inaccordance with the requirements in the vehicle. If the vehicle isrealized as a passenger aircraft, the use of trolleys according torelevant standards, for example the ATLAS standard, is expedient. Theadvantages according to the invention are furthermore particularlyapparent if the rollable containers have a depth extent greater than 30to 40 cm. In particular in the case of a full size trolley, whichapproximately has a length of 80 to 82 cm.

The transfer plate is equipped with at least one locking device whichrealizes the locking of the transfer plate for the insertion and removalposition. Provision may also additionally or optionally be made forfixing in the storage position, that is to say, the container adjacentto the rear wall, by fixing of the transfer plate in its position there.For this purpose, the locking device may have locking elements,preferably front and rear locking elements. These may be designed in anydesired manner which permits easy locking and easy release for theremoval of the respective container. The locking may be realized, inparticular, by means of a movable catch element which has a positivelocking action and which corresponds with a corresponding form featureof the container or of the transfer plate.

The at least one locking device may preferably be mechanically orelectromechanically actuatable. Automatic locking and/or unlocking isalso conceivable. For example, when the insertion and removal positionis reached, an automatic locking of the transfer plate in that positionoccurs, and the transfer plate is actively unlocked for the movementinto the storage position. An operator control element which isconnected to the locking device may be arranged, in particular, on aside facing toward the user. In this way, it is made very easilypossible for a user to release the locking device or ascertain thepresent locking state. The specific design of the operator controlelement may be dependent on the type of locking device. Tension, thrustand rotary elements are expedient which, by means of a linkage or someother device, transmit a desired axial, rotational or combined axial androtational movement to the first locking device.

For example, a foot-operated pedal may be provided which activates thecorresponding locking elements via cable pulls. Alternatively, thelocking device may be activated and triggered via signal lines or elsewirelessly. In a further alternative embodiment, a hand crank may engageinto a corresponding lock element and trigger the actuation of thelocking. It is additionally also conceivable to move the transfer plateby means of the crank by virtue of thrust force or tensile force actingon the transfer plate.

A core component of the accommodation system according to the inventionis the transfer plate, which accommodates the catering container and canbe moved between the storage position and the removal position. In orderto permit secure storage of the catering container on the transferplate, at least one positioning device is provided. This is preferablyin the form of a stop in the rear region of the plate or in the form ofa catch element at a corresponding position in the accommodation space.

Furthermore, the accommodation system may have run-on ramps which makeit easier for the rollable catering containers to run on for thepurposes of overcoming the height difference between the floor and thetransfer plate. The run-on ramps may also be provided at a correspondingposition on the floor, which run-on ramps then, in operative connectionwith the transfer plate positioned at the correct location, enable therollable catering container to run on and run off. This is alternativelyalso possible in combination with the run-on ramps on the transferplate.

The rail system furthermore preferably has at least one guide rail whichruns from the region of the rear wall over the center of theaccommodation space into the front region of the accommodation space andis positioned centrally with respect to the container, between thetransport rollers. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail runs fromthe insertion opening as far as into the region of the rear wall and ispositioned centrally in relation to the container, between the transportrollers. Thus, owing to the central arrangement below the supplycontainer, the guide rail does not pose an obstruction even in the frontregion of the accommodation space, preferably for the front parkinglocation of the container, and the handling and insertion and removal ofthe front container, too, is possible despite a positioned rail.

In other words, the guide rails may be formed as linear guides which areeach equipped with a rail element and a movement body, wherein the railsare fixed on the floor of the accommodation space or the aircraft floorand the respective movement element is arranged on the transfer plate.

For the secure and stable support of the transfer plate during themovement, it is possible, aside from the bearing arrangement on the railsystem, for roller elements to also be provided on the transfer plate.Roller elements are preferably provided in the front region of thetransfer plate.

It is however also additionally possible for roller elements to beprovided at the edge region of the transfer plate in order to improvethe stability of the transfer plate.

The transfer plate has a central rail accommodation region and, at theflanks thereof, level accommodation surfaces for the transport rollers,wherein the level accommodation surfaces run in a plane which is loweredin relation to the plane of the rail accommodation region. In otherwords, the transfer plate is of curved form with an elevated centralregion which simultaneously, by means of the movement body, realizes thebearing arrangement on the guide rail. The height of this railaccommodation region is however also limited by the maximum floor heightbetween the floor and bottom side of the supply container. The laterallevel accommodation surfaces of the transfer plate serve as a runningsurface and for the accommodation of the transport rollers. Preferably,the level accommodation surfaces of the transfer plate are arranged asclose to the floor as is allowed by the technical design. By means ofthe reduction of the height difference between the floor and thetransfer plate, the handling and movement—the displacement of the supplycontainers onto the transfer plate—is made easier.

The movement of the transfer plate is possible with only a low handlingforce owing to the selection of free-running rail and/or guide systems.For the movement of the transfer plate from the removal position to thestorage position or vice versa, it may thus suffice for the movement ofthe transfer plate to be actuated by means of actuators with motorassistance by means of an operator control element. By way of example,the movement bodies fastened to the transfer plate may be equipped withactuators and moved mechanically by actuation. A manual movement of thetransfer plate may alternatively likewise be considered if only lowhandling forces are required and the access region for an operatingperson is sufficient. It is also possible for linkages to be providedwhich facilitate the access to the transfer plate and possiblyfurthermore perform the actuation of the locking device. Further it maybe an option that the operator control element carry out a wirelesscontrol of the actuators for the movement of the transfer plate as wellas a status indication for the position of the transfer plate.

The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle having a cabin and havinga cabin monument which is situated therein and which has anaccommodation system according to the above description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, advantages and possible uses of the present inventionwill emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodimentsand from the figures. Here, all of the features described and/orillustrated in the figures form the subject matter of the inventionindividually and in any desired combination, even independently of thecombination of the features in the individual claims or theback-references thereof. Furthermore, in the figures, the same referencesigns are used for identical or similar objects.

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional illustration of an accommodation spacewith two supply containers which are arranged one behind the other ontwo trolley parking locations arranged one behind the other.

FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 b show the supply containers on the trolley parkinglocation with an accommodation system according to the invention.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show the supply container on a transfer plate in aview from the side in a storage position and in a removal position.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show, in detail views, the supply container arrangedon the accommodation system in the removal position.

FIG. 5 shows the supply container with the rear locking device.

FIGS. 6 a to 6 c show a first embodiment of a locking device withmechanical cable pull actuation.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show a second embodiment of a locking device withelectromechanical actuation.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show a third embodiment of a locking device withmechanical actuation.

FIG. 9 shows the accommodation space with an accommodation systemaccording to the invention in a further embodiment.

FIGS. 10 a to 10 c show the accommodation system as per FIG. 9 indifferent loading and parking locations.

FIGS. 11 a to 11 c show the accommodation space as per FIG. 9 indifferent loading and parking locations.

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b show, in a view from the front and in a detailedview, the rail system in the accommodation space according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show two possible alternatives of an accommodationsystem.

FIG. 15 shows an aircraft having a cabin in which there is arranged agalley with an accommodation space equipped with an accommodation systemaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an accommodation space 10 with two supply containers 20 and21 arranged one behind the other on two trolley parking locations 14 and15 arranged one behind the other. By way of example, the vehicle in thisexemplary embodiment is a passenger aircraft, and the rollable supplycontainers 20 and 21 are therefore in the form of trolleys, conformingto the Atlas standard. These are so-called “full-size trolleys,” that isto say, trolleys with a full structural depth of approximately 80 cm.The accommodation space 10 is commonly fully closed and accessible viaone insertion opening 13. It may be a constituent part of what iscommonly referred to in the art as a galley. For the storage of thesupply containers 20 and 21, these are inserted into the accommodationspace 10 via the insertion opening 13 (indicated by an arrow symbol). Inthe accommodation space 10 that is shown, the rear trolley parkinglocation 15 is provided such that the rear supply container 21 runs withits rear container wall 24 adjacent to, or so as to adjoin, the rearwall 11 of the accommodation space 10. The front trolley parkinglocation 14 and the rear trolley parking location 15 are oriented alonga common longitudinal axis 25. The front supply container 20 is thuspositioned exactly in front of the rear supply container 21, such thatthe removal of the rear supply container 21 from the storage position ispossible only when the front supply container 20 has been removed andthus the front trolley parking location 14 is free. Access via theinsertion opening 13 to the rear trolley parking location 15 isdifficult, or is even not possible without auxiliary means, owing to thelimited arm's reach in the case of handling performed by the flightattendants. Even if this arrangement of trolley parking locations in apassenger aircraft is not preferred from the aspect of operability,structural constraints may however contribute to optimized spaceutilization in the limited space of a passenger aircraft if such supplycontainers can also be arranged one behind the other.

According to the invention, in order to permit the removal or else theparking of the supply container 21 at the rear parking location 15, anaccommodation system 30 is provided for this parking location 15. Thisaccommodation system 30 is installed in the floor region, below thesupply container 21. It is substantially the case that a transfer plate31 is provided which is designed such that it can be pulled out andwhich thus permits the loading and removal of the supply container 21 ata position which is comfortable for the flight attendants. A detaileddescription of the accommodation system 30 will be given below on thebasis of FIGS. 2 to 5 .

The accommodation system 30 according to the invention will becomesomewhat clearer in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b in a perspective illustration ofthe supply container 21 on the trolley parking location 15. FIG. 2 ashows the supply container 21 in the storage position. The supplycontainer 21 stands on a transfer plate 31, which is mounted movably ona rail system 32 and which can be moved in a removal direction 34. Therail system 32 is fixed in the floor region of the accommodation space10 (see FIG. 1 ). This may, in the case of the design as a trolleyparking location in a galley, be provided directly on the aircraft floorwithin the galley or else on the floor belonging to the accommodationspace 10. The transfer plate 31 has, in the front region, run-on ramps33 which enable the rollers 22 of the supply container 21 to move ontothe transfer plate 31 and run off the latter again. In the storageposition, the rear rollers 22 of the supply container 21 may moveagainst a stop 35, which defines the storage position and prevents thetransfer plate 31 from rolling over it. FIG. 2 b shows the supplycontainer 21 in the removal position. For this purpose, the transferplate 31 is moved on the rail system 32 in the removal direction 34 asfar as the front end position and is at least partially positioned onthe front trolley parking location 14. For this purpose, front lockingelements 37 (shown in FIG. 4 ) are provided at a front end stop 39(shown in FIG. 4 ). As can be seen, on the rail system 32, there areprovided rear end stops 38 which, in operative connection with rearlocking elements 36 (to be shown later) hold the transfer plate 31 fixedin the storage position.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show, in a side view, the supply container 21positioned on the transfer plate 31 in the storage position and in theremoval position. The rail system 32 is in the form of a linear guidesystem, the guide rails of which are of flat construction. Thestructural height of the rails lies in a range from 5 to 20 mm. It isthus ensured that the run-on height onto the transfer plate 31 can beselected such that the handling of commonly fully laden and thus heavyrollable supply containers remains manageable by means of the run-onramps 33. FIG. 3 a illustrates the storage position. The supplycontainer 21 is positioned on the transfer plate 31 and the rear rollers22 of the supply container 21 are in abutment against the rear stop 35of the transfer plate 31 in order to ensure that the supply container 21stands securely on the transfer plate 31.

FIG. 3 b shows the supply container 21 in the removal position, that isto say, the transfer plate 31 has been moved in the removal direction 34by means of the rail system 32. In order to ensure a secure holdingaction and a movement capability of the transfer plate 31 even beyondthe guide rails of the rail system 32, roller elements 41 are arrangedin the front region of the transfer plate 31.

Detail views of the supply container 21 arranged on the accommodationsystem 30 in the removal position and an advantageous embodiment of therail system 32 and the functioning thereof are illustrated in FIGS. 4 aand 4 b.

FIG. 4 a shows, in a view from below, the rail system 32 arranged belowthe transfer plate 31. The movement bodies 42 running on guide rails 40are fastened to the transfer plate 31. The guide rails 40 are preferablydesigned as linear guide rails, wherein telescopic rails may also beused. At a front end stop 39, in each case fastened to the correspondingguide rail 40, locking of the position of the transfer plate 31 can beperformed in order to then reliably permit a removal movement of thesupply container 21 from the fixed transfer plate.

FIG. 4 b shows, in a detail view, the guide rails 40, the respectivemovement body elements 42 and the front locking means 37. In thispulled-out position of the transfer plate 31 (insertion and removalposition of the supply container 21), the front locking means 37,equipped, for example, with a snap-action catch 37A, has been movedbeyond the front end stop 39 and locks the transfer plate 31 for theloading and unloading process.

FIG. 5 shows, in a view of the rear side of the supply container 21, therear stop 35 for the rollers 22 for the positioning of the supplycontainer 21. Here, the transfer plate 31 is in the foremost position ofthe rail system 32 on the guide rails 40. In this position, the transferplate 31 can be moved, that is to say, from the pulled-out positionshown (removal position), the transfer plate 31 with the supplycontainer 21 can be moved into the storage position by action of force,manually or else assisted by means of drives. As an end position of thetransfer plate 31, rear end stops 38 are provided which interact withrear locking means 36 of the transfer plate 31.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c show the supply container 21 positioned on thetransfer plate 31 in a side view, in a view from below, and in a viewfrom the front, in a detail illustration. It can be seen in FIG. 6 bthat the transfer plate 31 is equipped, on the bottom side, with anembodiment of front and rear locking devices 37 and 36 which areactuated by means of at least one mechanical cable pull 50, preferablyfour cable pulls 50A, 50B, 50C and 50D according to the exemplaryembodiment shown. The cable pulls 50 are preferably designed in themanner of Bowden cables and may be actuated, for example, by means of afoot-operated pedal 51 and thus lock and unlock the locking means. Analternative actuation of the cable pulls 50 may also be a lever elementwhich is provided for being operated by hand (not shown). It is alsoconceivable for the rear locking means 36 to be used optionally, that isto say, it is also possible for these to be omitted.

In FIG. 6 c , it can be seen in a detail illustration in a view from thefront that the front two catch elements 37 are actuated by means of therespective cable pull 50A and 50B, and this is made possible by means ofthe actuation of the schematically illustrated foot-operated pedal 51.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show a second embodiment of an actuation and lockingdevice. FIG. 7 a shows, in a side view, that operation may be performedby foot-operated pedal 51 in order to release the locking. In FIG. 7 b ,it is schematically shown that the foot-operated pedal 51 can actuatethe locking elements 37′ in the manner of electromechanical actuation.Signal lines 52 may be used for this purpose, though wireless actuationmay also be performed.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show a third embodiment of a locking device withmechanical actuation in a schematic illustration. Here, provision ismade whereby a hand crank 53 engages into a lock element 54 and, byrotation in the lock element 54, actuates the locking element 37″ ormultiple locking elements 37″. With the use of the hand crank 53, it isalso possible, after the engagement or rotation in the lock element 54,for an introduction of load into/action of force on the transfer plate31 to be performed at the same time, and thus for the plate to also bemoved.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of an accommodation system. Theaccommodation space 10 is shown, with two trolley parking locations 14and 15 arranged one behind the other. These trolley parking locations 14and 15 serve for accommodating the rollable supply containers 20 and 21(shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C). The accommodation space 10 is commonlyfully closed and accessible via the insertion opening 13. For thestorage of the supply containers 20 and 21, these are inserted into theaccommodation space 10 via the insertion opening 13 (indicated by anarrow symbol). In the accommodation space 10 that is shown, the reartrolley parking location 15 is provided such that the rear supplycontainer 21 is positioned with its rear container wall 24 at a stop 18adjacent to, or adjoining, the rear wall 11 of the accommodation space10. The front trolley parking location 14 and the rear trolley parkinglocation 15 are oriented along a common longitudinal axis. The frontsupply container 20 is thus positioned exactly in front of the rearsupply container 21, such that the removal of the rear supply container21 from the storage position is possible only when the front supplycontainer 20 has been removed and thus the front trolley parkinglocation 14 is free.

According to the invention, in order to permit the removal or else theparking of the supply container 21 on the rear parking location 15, anaccommodation system 300 is provided for this parking location 15. Thisaccommodation system 300 is arranged in the floor region. It issubstantially the case that a transfer plate 310 is provided which ismovable on a rail system 320. The transfer plate 310 can be moved on therail system 320 as far as the insertion opening 13 and thus permit theloading and removal of the supply container 21 at a position which iscomfortable for the flight attendants. The transfer plate 310 isprovided with a centrally provided rail accommodation region 310A for aguide rail 400 and has lowered level accommodation surfaces 310B and310B′ as accommodation for the supply container 21. A detaileddescription of the accommodation system 300 will be given below on thebasis of FIGS. 10 to 14 .

FIGS. 10 a to 10 c show the accommodation system 300 as per FIG. 9 indifferent loading and parking locations. In each case, the transportrollers 22 of the supply containers 20 and 21 (not shown) are indicated.

The rail system 320 has a guide rail 400 which is oriented centrally andin the longitudinal direction of the transfer plate 310. The railaccommodation region 310A of the transfer plate 310 is positioned so asto run in each case between the transport rollers 22. In this context,the expression “between the transport rollers” means that the guide rail400 is not rolled over by the transport rollers 22, but is dimensionedsuch that the transfer plate 310 which is movable on the guide rail 400is sufficiently supported to ensure that the loads of the supplycontainer 21 are accommodated. The special form of the transfer plate310 with the lowered level accommodation surfaces 310B and 310B′ makesit possible for the overall structural height of the accommodationsystem to be kept as low as possible. The structural height of the rail400 lies in a range from preferably 10 to 37 mm. Thus, the railaccommodation region 310A of the transfer plate 310 must be designedcorrespondingly. It is ensured that the surface of the rail 400 does notcollide with the floor of the supply container and with any moving partsof the supply container that may be present. The run-on height onto thelowered level accommodation surfaces 310B and 310B′ of the transferplate 310 may be selected such that the handling of commonly fully ladenand thus heavy rollable supply containers is manageable by means ofrun-on ramps 33.

In FIG. 10A, the transfer plate 310 is positioned in the region of theinsertion opening. The transfer plate 310 can then, with the supplycontainer 21 positioned thereon, be displaced onto the rear parkinglocation 15 (see FIG. 10B). The guide rail 400, which, for the movementof the transfer plate 310, runs as far as into the region of theinsertion opening 13, is in this embodiment of the rail system coveredby the rail accommodation region 310A. In order to overcome the heightdifference from the floor 16 to the level accommodation surfaces 310Band 310B′ of the transfer plate 310, use may be made of run-on rampswhich are either fastened to the floor 16 or else are arranged on thefront edge of the transfer plate 310 (not shown). One embodiment ofpossible run-on ramps on a transfer plate 31 or 310 is shown by way ofexample in FIG. 2 . It can be seen in FIG. 10C that the running surfacefor the transport rollers 22 of the front supply container 20corresponds to the floor 16, and it is thus not necessary for a heightdifference to be overcome in order to arrive at the front parkinglocation 14.

FIGS. 11 a to 11 c show the accommodation space 10 as per FIG. 9 indifferent loading and parking positions of the two supply containers 20and 21 arranged one behind the other. In FIG. 11 a , the insertion andremoval position of the supply container 21 is shown. The supplycontainer 21 is, during the insertion, pushed onto the transfer plate310. Detail A shows the run-on ramp 33 which is required to overcome theheight difference between the floor 16 and the level accommodationsurfaces 310B and 310B′ of the transfer plate 310. The run-on ramp may,for this purpose, be of beveled design on one side or else (as shown) onboth sides. For the positioning and locking of the transfer plate 310,locking devices are provided. Such locking devices may, for example, bedesigned as already described in detail with regard to the firstembodiment of the accommodation system (see FIGS. 4 to 8 ). It can beseen in the detail B that, for the movement of the container 21 onto thetransfer plate 310, a catch element 19 is provided as a stop for thesupply container 21. A solution with the same action is realized in thefirst embodiment with the stop 35 on the transfer plate 31. The catchelement 19 is, in this second embodiment, arranged in the ceiling regionof the accommodation space 10 and, after the positioning of thecontainer 21, is rotated in order to permit the movement of the transferplate 31 a to the rear parking location 15. Here, the insertion of thecontainer 21 is limited at the rear wall of the accommodation space 10by a stop 18. FIG. 11B shows this position of the rear container 21.FIG. 11C shows the accommodation space 10 with the two containers 20 and21 positioned one behind the other. As can already be seen in FIG. 10C,the rear container 21 is mounted on the transfer plate 310, and thefront container 20 stands with its rollers 22 on the floor 16.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show further details of the accommodation system 300according to the invention. FIG. 12A shows the accommodation space 10with the supply container 21 from the front. The supply container 21 ispositioned with the transport rollers 22 on the level accommodationsurfaces 310B and 310B′ of the transfer plate 310. The guide rail 400running between the transport rollers 22 bears the transfer plate 310 inthe rail accommodation region 310A.

FIG. 12B shows, in a detail illustration as per the section A-A fromFIG. 12A, that, on the guide rail 400, there may also be provided alocking element 45 which interacts with a complementary locking part onthe transfer plate 310, and thus the position of the transfer plate 310is securely held for the loading and unloading of the supply container21. For example, a spring-loaded locking hook 45 may be provided whichinteracts with a pin element of the transfer plate 310.

FIG. 13 shows a detail view of the accommodation system 300 according tothe second embodiment in a view of the face-side end from the front. Itis possible to see the curved transfer plate 310 with the preferablyU-shaped rail accommodation region 310A and level accommodation surfaces310B and 310B′ adjoining both sides thereof. The transfer plate 310 maybe produced, for example, by means of deformation, such as deep drawingor bending.

The guide rail 400 is designed as a linear guide element. One possibleembodiment is a double profile rail, for example an IGUS W guide railwith corresponding carriage. The guide rail 400 is fastened by means offastening elements 430 to the floor 16. At least one, preferably twocarriages corresponding to the rail 400 are connected, as movementbodies 420, to the transfer plate 310 in the rail accommodation region310A.

At a face side of the level accommodation surfaces 310B and 310B′,run-on ramps 33 are arranged, and fastened by fastening means 330, at acorresponding position on the floor 16. It can be seen that only a smallgap dimension x is provided between the floor 16 and the levelaccommodation surfaces 310B and 310B′. In order to prevent possiblefriction, it is also possible for rolling elements or slide elements tobe provided on the underside of the transfer plate 310.

FIG. 14 shows an alternative design of an accommodation system 350. Thetransfer plate 360 is, in this embodiment, made up of L-shaped profilerails 370 as level accommodation surfaces 350B and 350B′ and of a flatconnecting element 380, which connects the profile rails 370 to oneanother, as rail accommodation region 350A, and the transfer plate runs,mounted by roller or ball bearings, on profile rails 450 which arefastened to the floor 16. Locking of the transfer plate 360 is possibleby means of an element 45 that can be locked to the floor 16.

By means of the components shown, it is consequently possible to realizea simple but nevertheless highly effective accommodation system whichcan greatly increase the compactness of a galley or of other facilities,because a parking location with sufficient depth can be filled withmultiple trolleys one behind the other without the need to allow forlimitations arising from the handling of a user of average physicalsize.

Finally, FIG. 15 shows an aircraft 60 with a fuselage 61 and with acabin 62 which is formed therein and in which there may be arranged acabin monument 63 which has an accommodation space 10 for supplycontainers and which is equipped with an accommodation system 30 or 30Aaccording to the invention.

It is additionally pointed out that features that have been describedwith reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also beused in combination with other features of other exemplary embodimentsdescribed above.

While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) isdisclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications,substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art and can be made without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations orvariations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in thisdisclosure, the terms “having,” “comprise” or “comprising” do notexclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude aplural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore,characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used incombination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unlessthe disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure herebyincorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent orapplication from which it claims benefit or priority.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An accommodation system for anaccommodation space for storing one or more rollable containers in avehicle, comprising: a rail system in a floor region of theaccommodation space, a transfer plate which is movable on the railsystem in the floor region of the accommodation space and which assumesa storage position and a removal position for the container, wherein thestorage position of the container is provided in a region of a rear wallof the accommodation space and the removal position is provided in aregion of an insertion opening, arranged oppositely in relation to therear wall, for an insertion and removal of the container equipped withtransport rollers into the accommodation space, wherein the rail systemhas at least one guide rail which is fixed on a floor of theaccommodation space in a movement direction of the transfer plate,wherein movement bodies which engage into the at least one guide railare arranged on the transfer plate, and wherein the at least one guiderail runs from the region of the rear wall over a center of theaccommodation space into a front region of the accommodation space. 2.The accommodation system according to claim 1, wherein the accommodationspace is, for purposes of accommodating at least two containers arrangedone behind the other, formed with a front parking location and a rearparking location, wherein a rear container is positioned on the transferplate.
 3. The accommodation system according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one guide rail is positioned centrally with respect to thecontainer, between the transport rollers.
 4. The accommodation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the transfer plate has at least onelocking device for releasably locking the transfer plate for the removalposition.
 5. The accommodation system according to claim 4, wherein theat least one locking device is mechanically or electromechanicallyactuatable.
 6. The accommodation system according to claim 1, furtherhaving at least one positioning device of the container on the transferplate.
 7. The accommodation system according to claim 1, wherein run-onramps onto the transfer plate are arranged on the transfer plate or at acorresponding position on the floor.
 8. The accommodation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the transfer plate has a central railaccommodation region and, at flanks thereof, level accommodationsurfaces for the transport rollers, wherein the level accommodationsurfaces run in a plane which is lowered in relation to a plane of therail accommodation region.
 9. A vehicle having a cabin and having acabin monument which is situated therein and which has an accommodationsystem according to claim
 1. 10. The vehicle according to claim 9,wherein the vehicle comprises a passenger aircraft.
 11. An accommodationsystem for an accommodation space for storing one or more rollablecontainers in a vehicle, comprising: a rail system in a floor region ofthe accommodation space, a transfer plate which is movable on the railsystem in the floor region of the accommodation space and which assumesa storage position and a removal position for the container, wherein thestorage position of the container is provided in a region of a rear wallof the accommodation space and the removal position is provided in aregion of an insertion opening, arranged oppositely in relation to therear wall, for an insertion and removal of the container equipped withtransport rollers into the accommodation space, wherein the rail systemhas at least one guide rail which is fixed on a floor of theaccommodation space in a movement direction of the transfer plate,wherein movement bodies which engage into the at least one guide railare arranged on the transfer plate, and wherein the transfer plate has acentral rail accommodation region and, at flanks thereof, levelaccommodation surfaces for the transport rollers, wherein the levelaccommodation surfaces run in a plane which is lowered in relation to aplane of the rail accommodation region.
 12. The accommodation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the movement bodies which engage intoopposing sides of the at least one guide rail.
 13. The accommodationsystem according to claim 11, wherein the movement bodies which engageinto opposing sides of the at least one guide rail.
 14. Theaccommodation system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer plate isarranged parallel to the at least one guide rail.
 15. The accommodationsystem according to claim 11, wherein the transfer plate is arrangedparallel to the at least one guide rail.